Design and Evaluation of an Authentication Framework for Wearable Devices

Abdullah Alharbi,Talal Alharbi

doi:10.1109/access.2020.2990861

Abstract

The demand for wearable technology devices has changed in recent years, due to the fact that wearable devices (WDs) make our lives easier and more comfortable than ever before. WDs are often seen as an extension to mobile devices such as smartphones even thought the size, shape and physical specifications, i.e., the form factors are completely different. The core features of WDs are always accessible and available to users while sole input devices, e.g. keyboard does not exist. In this case, the traditional authentication methods in which users type in passwords on the system can not apply to authenticate WDs. Therefore, this paper introduces an Authentication Framework for Wearable Devices (AFWD) that basically includes an authentication model designed for WDs, capable of creating reliable and secure authentication techniques. Subjective and objective assessment of the AFWD showed that it provides usability, deployability, and security and that people are willing to use it if available. Such a framework is crucial for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as it provides reliability and trustworthiness of the data transmitted via WDs.

Highlights

One of the major issues in authentication research is that wellknown and ‘‘comfortable’’ authentication means are co-opted for use on emerging devices, often without an examination of their fit
We introduce an Authentication Framework for Wearable Devices (AFWD), which is designed to provide a path to creating authentication methods specific to Wearable devices (WDs) keeping the four points mentioned above in mind
The AFWD respects the unique form factor of WDs considering that they should be always available and always on by using behavioral biometrics to authenticate wearers transparently as the wearer goes about their regular tasks.Transparency is satisfied by the ability to collect the authentication data in the background

Summary

Introduction

One of the major issues in authentication research is that wellknown and ‘‘comfortable’’ authentication means are co-opted for use on emerging devices, often without an examination of their fit. Wearable devices (WDs) are an emerging technology that lacks authentication means because WDs can be considered an extension of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones), the form factor for each is very different. WDs are always on, always accessible, and always expected to be connected to other devices and services such as smartphones, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) or the Internet [3], [16]. Despite these differences, WDs are often used in conjunction with mobile devices for reasons such as improved processing power, capabilities such as keyboards, screens, and additional memory

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion